Stories from May 20, 2024

Carleton College students face disciplinary action after pro-Palestinian occupation
Twelve Carleton students are facing disciplinary action after they remained in Laird Hall, a campus building, during a protest occupation. The students were demanding the university divest from companies manufacturing weapons being used in the war in Gaza.
Minneapolis launches system to intervene if MPD officers appear to be struggling
Mayor Jacob Frey said the goal of the new early intervention system would be to use data on things like officer attendance, off-duty work hours or arrest records to identify officers who show signs of stress, trauma or burnout. 
Severe storms risk and flood watches Tuesday
An unseasonably deep low-pressure storm is heading for Minnesota. Multiple waves of rain and thunderstorms will sweep across Minnesota from late Monday night through Tuesday.
The Minnesota House and Senate passed a bill last night that includes a statewide pay standard for rideshare drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft. And a search continues today for two canoeists who went missing over the weekend after their canoes went over a waterfall in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Authorities in Rochester are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash Saturday that involved a State Patrol squad. Olivia Flores, 18, of Owatonna died from injuries suffered in the crash.
Search continues for 2 people missing after canoes went over waterfall in Boundary Waters
Search efforts continued Monday amid poor weather and difficult water conditions for two people who went missing over the weekend after their canoes went over a waterfall in northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Widespread severe risk Tuesday for southern Minnesota
A strong low-pressure system will generate strong to severe storms across southern Minnesota Monday evening and again Tuesday.
The resurgence of the term ‘kinkeeping,’ the often gendered work of keeping a family together
The term ‘kinkeeping’ is taking off online. Hear from a local professor whose teaching on the term spurred her student to make a viral TikTok about the subject.
The state of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace 4 years since George Floyd‘s murder
This Saturday will mark four years since the murder of George Floyd. Each day this week on Minnesota Now, we will look at a different impact. On Monday we talked about the shift in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace.
Without a bonding bill, funding for public works projects across Minnesota in limbo
Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a public construction project bill ahead of their deadline Sunday. A cash-only plan that could have passed with a simple majority emerged in the final minutes before midnight. It won House approval but didn’t get through the Senate in time.
After years in electoral doldrums, Minnesota GOP pins hopes on sour voter mood
Minnesota Republicans think they’re well-positioned this year and believe they have an upper hand over Democrats on issues frustrating many Americans: high prices, illegal immigration and international conflicts. But the party faces challenges, too.
Charles Barkley asked: Where should he eat in Minnesota during Western Conference finals?
After the Minnesota Timberwolves made a historic comeback and won Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, NBA analyst Charles Barkley asked for recommendations on where to eat in Minnesota while he’s in town for the Western Conference finals.
Minneapolis police say three people — including a mother and toddler — were seriously wounded in two separate shootings Sunday night.
New book is ‘love letter to Prince and Purple Rain’ ahead of 40th anniversary
Prince’s story is told by Minneapolis-based music journalist Andrea Swensson, host of the Official Prince Podcast and a Minnesota Book Award winner. She calls her new book, “Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years,” a “love letter” to his legacy.
What will AI mean for art, artists and musicians?
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell and his guests on what the rise of artificial intelligence means for artists, musicians, actors and writers. 
Target to lower prices on about 5,000 basic goods as inflation sends customers scrounging for deals
Target plans on cutting prices on thousands of consumer basics this summer, goods ranging from diapers to milk, with more Americans paying closer attention to their spending as inflation cuts into household budgets.
The Minnesota Legislature hit its midnight deadline Sunday with little fanfare but lots of shouting. And the Timberwolves punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets.
When sea otters lose their favorite foods, they can use tools to go after new ones
Some otters rely on tools to bust open hard-shelled prey items like snails, and a new study suggests this tool use is helping them to survive as their favorite, easier-to-eat foods disappear.
Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too
New research shows lifelong bikers have healthier knees, less pain and a longer lifespan, compared to people who've never biked. This adds to the evidence that cycling promotes healthy aging.
How does Trump's trial end? It may hinge on how jurors feel about sex and privacy
The Trump's Trials team breaks down why prosecutors have a timeline problem, what Michael Cohen's testimony so far has shown, and why it may all come down to a question of sex and privacy in the end.
UMD Tweed Museum of Art announces new director
Julie Delliquanti has been named director of the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota Duluth starting June 10.
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader's protégé, dies at 63 in helicopter crash
Raisi's sudden death, along with Iran's foreign minister and other officials in the helicopter crash Sunday in northwestern Iran, came as Iran struggles with internal dissent and its relations with the wider world. A cleric first, Raisi once kissed the Quran, the Islamic holy book, before the United Nations and spoke more like a preacher than a statesman when addressing the world.
Two canoeists missing in Boundary Waters after going over waterfall
Two canoeists are missing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after two canoes went over a waterfall on Saturday evening between two large lakes along the Canadian border.
Timberwolves beat Denver 98-90, head to Western Conference Finals
Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 98-90 in Game 7 to advance to Western Conference finals. Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and the Timberwolves roared back from a 20-point second-half deficit
At Morehouse, Biden says dissent should be heard because democracy is 'still the way'
Facing potential headwinds with both young voters and Black voters, President Joe Biden's Morehouse College commencement address focused on his view of the importance — and future of — democracy.
Healey's goal in 2nd period gives Boston 4-3 win in first game of PWHL championship series
Jess Healey scored from the point late in the second period to lift Boston to a 4-3 win over Minnesota in the first game of the inaugural Walter Cup, the championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Championship.